University of Wisconsin-Platteville reaches 1,000 graduates for its distance education programs
PLATTEVILLE, Wis., Dec. 9, 2011 — The University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Distance Education programs (UW-Platteville Online) has surpassed 1,000 graduates. From its beginning as an innovative correspondence service for Wisconsin citizens, the program now reaches more than 2,500 students worldwide.
“We’re not scrambling to reach 100,000 students. And that’s OK, because we understand that there’s a real person behind every degree we grant,” said Dawn Drake, executive director of alternative delivery systems. “Our student service representatives, advisors, and faculty know our students by name, guide them when they’re uncertain and keep them on a path to graduation.”
The distance learning program began in 1978, offering a single bachelor’s degree: business administration and its first graduating class numbered five in 1981. UW-Platteville launched its first completely online program in 1999 with a master’s degree in project management. The first online graduating class consisted of 13 people in 2001. Today, UW-Platteville Online provides eight degrees at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, including new master’s degrees in organizational change leadership and integrated supply chain management. And on Saturday, Dec. 17, 70 online students are eligible for graduation.
Support and perseverance is the essence of UW-Platteville’s Distance Education programs. Outreach Specialist Amy Griswold, who is working on her own online master’s program, knows firsthand how important encouragement is for an online learner. “Sometimes that support doesn’t come in the form of a cheerleader or a motivational life coach, but from the people we are with every day, who are proud of us and want to see us succeed.”
Visit http://www.GoUWP.com, call (800) 362-5460 or email disted@uwplatt.edu to learn more about UW-Platteville Online.
About UW-Platteville Online
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Distance Learning Center began 30 years ago. Today, more than 2,500 students worldwide are enrolled in its online programs. UW-Platteville provides online bachelor’s degrees in business administration and criminal justice along with master’s degrees in integrated supply chain management, distance education leadership, organizational change leadership, project management, engineering and criminal justice.
